American voters say 63 - 25 percent that the government's anti-terror policies lean too far toward
protecting civil rights rather than national security and by 84 - 13 percent back greater use of
airport body scanners opposed by privacy advocates because the machines scan a person's body
through their clothing, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Support for the war in Afghanistan is up, at 59 - 35 percent, compared to 51 - 41 percent
in a December 23 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. But
voters disagree with President Obama's plan to try suspected terrorists in civilian courts, saying
59 - 34 percent they should be tried in military courts. Voters approve 48 - 44 percent of
Obama's handling of terror.

While 44 percent think the proposed health care changes "go too far," 29 percent say they
do not go "far enough" and 17 percent think the health care changes are "about right." The "not
far enough" and "about right" total 46 percent. For the first time, voters trust congressional
Republicans as much as President Obama on health care, 42 - 41 percent, compared to a 45 - 40
percent Obama edge December 22. Obama's "trust" margin July 1 was 53 - 33 percent.

"Support for President Barack Obama's health care reform continues to decline
marginally and now only about one in three voters say they mostly approve of the pending
legislation. Opposition seems mostly driven by those who think the plan under consideration is
too ambitious. The whole health care issue showcases the Grand Canyon-like divide opened up
among the electorate," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University
Polling Institute.

"Consider this disparity; 68 percent of Democrats say they back the pending legislation,
compared to 9 percent of Republicans and 26 percent of independents," Brown added.

Voters say 52 - 44 percent that law enforcement should be able to single out people who
look Middle-Eastern for screening and questions, and by 79 - 16 percent they back the recent
decision to subject air travelers from 14 designated countries - most of them nations with large
Muslim populations - to extra screening.

"The failed Christmas Day attempt to blow up a flight into Detroit has the American
people security conscious. They are more supportive of the Afghan war; they think the
government is worrying too much about civil liberties and not enough about security, and they
overwhelmingly favor the use of body scanners on air travelers. Apparently, personal safety
overrides concerns about modesty," said Brown. "In addition voters don't want Guantanamo
closed; they don't want terrorists tried in civilian courts and they back singling out those who
look Middle Eastern or travelers from some heavily Muslim nations for extra scrutiny."

On the question about whether the government was leaning too far toward civil liberties
or national security in its policies, there was relatively small difference by political party: 72
percent of Republicans, 57 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of independent voters say
government hasn't done enough to safeguard the country.

Yet on questions that involve decisions made by the Obama administration, the partisan
split was much more noticeable. Only 12 percent of Republicans and 24 percent of independents
want Guantanamo closed compared to 51 percent of Democrats. Similarly, 20 percent of
Republicans and 31 percent of independents want terrorists tried in civilian courts, compared to
50 percent of Democrats.

On other terrorism-related questions:

More than three out of four say it is very likely (35 percent) or somewhat likely (43
percent) that in the near future there will be a terrorist attack in the United States with a
large number of casualties;

Americans say 86 - 11 percent they would support new airport security measures even if
it means longer delays in air travel.

From January 5 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,767 registered voters nationwide
with a margin of error of +/- 2.3 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling terrorism?

TREND: Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases,
illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases? (*Combined high also 57% Aug
2007, Dec 2005, Jul 2005, & Dec 2004 /**Combined low also 52% May 2009)

32. How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a
terrorist attack in the United States causing large numbers of lives to be lost?
Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?

TREND: How likely do you think it is that in the near future there will be a
terrorist attack in the United States causing large numbers of lives to be lost?
Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all?

33. When it comes to dealing with people suspected of involvement in terrorist
attacks against the United States, which would you prefer: trying them in open
criminal court with a jury and a civilian judge or trying them in a closed
military court with a military judge?

35. What concerns you more about the government's anti-terrorism policies - that
they have gone too far in restricting the average person's civil liberties or
that they have not gone far enough to adequately protect the country?

TREND: In order to prevent terrorism at places like airports and subways, should
authorities be able to single out people who look like they might be of Middle
Eastern origin to search or question?

Jan 14 Aug 29
2010 2006
Yes 52 60
No 44 37
DK/NA 4 4

39. As you may know, the Transportation Security Administration recently
announced a new policy to require extra screening of all air travelers who are
citizens of 14 designated countries, 13 of which are largely Muslim. Do you
think this is a good idea or a bad idea?